Home Education Scholastic Outcomes

Home educated students in Oregon consistently score significantly higher than expected on nationally normed standardized tests.

Nationally normed tests are specifically designed so that 1% of the test-takers will score in each percentile. For example:

15% will score at or below the 15th percentile

50% will score at or below the 50th percentile

10% will score at or above the 90th percentile

The following table compares the most recent available test results for Oregon home educated students statewide and in Lane County against the expected results from nationally normed standardized tests:

# of Students (Actual)

# of Students (Expected)

% of Total (Actual)

% of Total (Expected)

Difference from expected

Percent Difference from expected

OREGON Total Students:

11,405

1-15%

590

1,711

5%

15%

-1,121

-66%

1-50%

3,106

5,703

27%

50%

-2,597

-46%

51-99%

8,299

5,703

73%

50%

2,596

46%

91-99%

2,761

1,141

24%

10%

1,621

142%

LANE ESD Total Students:

1,080

1-15%

35

162

3%

15%

-127

-78%

1-50%

242

540

22%

50%

--298

-55%

51-99%

725

540

67%

50%

185

34%

91-99%

270

108

25%

10%

162

150%

Twice as many home educated students scored above average than expected.

Half as many home educated students scored below average than expected.

Source: Home School Data Collection 1998-1999, Oregon Department of Education